Tipton County License Hearing Guide
How to request your Administrative License Hearing and protect your driving privileges after a DUI arrest.
Last verified: September 4, 2026
20-Day Deadline
You have exactly 20 days from your arrest to request a hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended. No exceptions.
Enter your arrest date to see your deadline:
If You Request in Time
- • Temporary permit until hearing
- • Chance to keep your license
- • Gather evidence for defense
If You Miss the Deadline
- • Automatic 90-180 day suspension
- • No hearing, no appeal
- • Starts after waiting period
How to Request Your Hearing
Online Request
Fee: Typically $50-$125
Available: 24/7
Instant confirmation
Phone Request
Fee: Same as online
Hours: Business hours only
Expect hold times
Information You'll Need
From Your Notice:
- • Driver License Number
- • Date of Arrest
- • Arresting Agency
- • Arresting Officer Name
Personal Information:
- • Full Legal Name
- • Current Address
- • Date of Birth
- • Phone Number & Email
After You Request
Temporary Permit
ImmediateDrive legally until your hearing
Hearing Notice
20-40 daysDate, time, and format mailed to you
Prepare Defense
Before hearingGather evidence, hire attorney
Attend Hearing
Scheduled dateUsually phone or video
Decision
Same dayWin: keep license. Lose: suspension starts
Temporary Permit
Immediate
Drive until hearing
Hearing Notice
20-40 days
Date mailed to you
Prepare
Before hearing
Gather evidence
Attend Hearing
Scheduled
Phone or video
Decision
Same day
Win or suspension
What to Expect at the Hearing
Most hearings are by phone or video
You usually don't need to travel. When you receive your hearing notice, it will specify whether it's phone, video, or in-person.
Duration
30-60 minutes typically
Who's There
You, your attorney (optional), state attorney, hearing officer
What They Review
Probable cause for stop, proper arrest procedure, test validity
Evidence That Can Help
- Dashcam or bodycam footage showing procedural errors
- Breathalyzer calibration records (if not current)
- Witness statements about your sobriety
- Medical conditions affecting field sobriety tests
Should You Hire an Attorney?
With an Attorney
- Can subpoena arresting officer
- Knows how to challenge evidence
- Uses hearing to strengthen criminal defense
- Higher success rate at hearings
Without an Attorney
- State has experienced attorney present
- May not know proper objections
- Can't effectively cross-examine officers
- Lower win rate statistically
If You Lose Your Hearing
Losing the hearing isn't the end. You still have options to maintain limited driving privileges:
Ignition Interlock
Drive with device installed
Occupational License
Limited driving for work/essentials
Tennessee DMV Office
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
The license case runs separately from the criminal DUI, and it is faster and less forgiving. Refusing the breath or blood test triggers an automatic one-year revocation on its own. You have 10 business days from the arrest or the notice date to send a written request for an administrative hearing to the Driver Improvement Section at 1150 Foster Avenue, P.O. Box 25290, Nashville, TN 37202-5290. Fax it to 615-253-3104 or 615-401-2523, or email Driver.Improvement@tn.gov. There is usually a fee of $50 to $100.
The request has to be in writing and must include your full legal name, Tennessee license number, date of birth, mailing address, phone number, and the exact date on the suspension notice. A phone call does nothing. Send it by fax and keep the confirmation, or by certified mail with a return receipt, because you carry the burden of proving it went in on time. Miss the deadline and the suspension holds no matter what happens with the criminal charge.
License business locally goes through the Covington Driver Services Center at 220 Highway 51 North, Suite 1, phone (901) 475-2517, open weekdays 8:30 to 5:00. It runs on appointments through the state e-Services portal, and if you arrive more than 15 minutes late your appointment is canceled and you go to the walk-in line. Note that the county clerk's office at the same address, which handles vehicle registration, closes for lunch from noon to 1:00.
For a restricted license you need the judge to sign an Order for Restricted Driver License before you can even authorize an interlock install. Tennessee caps what installers can charge: labor cannot exceed $75 per hour, billed for at most 3 hours, and the monthly lease and monitoring fee is capped at $125. Local installers are Fletcher's Garage on Highway 51 South in Covington and Caldwell Tinting & Audio on Highway 51 South in Atoka.
The SR-22 is filed electronically by your insurer as proof you carry the required liability coverage, and it is mandatory before the state will reinstate a suspended license.
Last updated: September 4, 2026
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When facing a DUI charge in Tipton County, finding local, experienced representation is critical. Below is our curated list of verified DUI defense attorneys serving Tipton County, TN.